Methods and apparatus for inverting a hollow sleeve and thereafter reverting an inverted hollow sleeve

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for inverting an elongated flexible tubular sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the apparatus comprising: a hollow tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and an elongated rod movably disposed within the central lumen of the hollow tube, the elongated rod having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the elongated rod comprises a sleeve plug for securing a distal end of an elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal end of the hollow tube; wherein, when the elongated flexible tubular sleeve is disposed over the hollow tube, (i) the sleeve plug of the elongated rod is configured to be moved proximally to clamp the distal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal end of the hollow tube, and (ii) the sleeve plug of the elongated rod is configured to be moved distally to release the distal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve from the distal end of the hollow tube; 
     and further wherein when the distal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve is clamped to the distal end of the hollow tube, the proximal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve can be pulled toward the distal end of the hollow tube to invert the elongated flexible tubular sleeve.

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 63/114,070, filed Nov. 16, 2020 by LumendiLtd. and David Gaddy et al. for METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INVERTING AHOLLOW SLEEVE AND THEREAFTER REVERTING AN INVERTED HOLLOW SLEEVE(Attorney's Docket No. LUMENDI-40), which patent application is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods and apparatus in general, and moreparticularly to methods and apparatus for inverting a hollow sleeve andthereafter reverting an inverted hollow sleeve, and to a hollow sleevehaving a hydrophilic coating applied to the interior surface of thehollow sleeve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The human body comprises many different body lumens and body cavities.By way of example but not limitation, the human body comprises bodylumens such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood vessels, lymphaticvessels, the urinary tract, fallopian tubes, bronchi, bile ducts, etc.By way of further example but not limitation, the human body comprisesbody cavities such as the head, chest, abdomen, nasal sinuses, bladder,cavities within organs, etc.

In many cases it may be desirable to endoscopically examine and/or treata disease process or abnormality which is located within, or on the sidewall of, a body lumen and/or body cavity. By way of example but notlimitation, it may be desirable to examine the side wall of thegastrointestinal tract for lesions and, if a lesion is found, to biopsy,remove and/or otherwise treat the lesion.

The endoscopic examination and/or treatment of the side wall of a bodylumen and/or body cavity can be complicated by the anatomicconfiguration (both regional and local) of the side wall of the bodylumen and/or body cavity, and/or by the consistency of the tissue makingup the side wall of the body lumen and/or body cavity, and/or by thetethering of the side wall of the body lumen and/or body cavity to otheranatomical structures.

By way of example but not limitation, the intestine is an elongatedtubular organ having an inner lumen and is characterized by frequentturns (i.e., the regional anatomic configuration of the intestine) and aside wall characterized by numerous folds (i.e., the local anatomicconfiguration of the intestine), with the side wall tissue having arelatively soft, pliable consistency, and with the colon in particularbeing tethered to the abdomen and/or other abdominal structures via softtissue. It can be difficult to fully visualize the side wall of theintestine, and/or to treat a lesion formed on the side wall of theintestine, due to this varying side wall anatomic configuration (bothregional and local), its relatively soft, pliable consistency, and itstethering to other anatomical structures via soft tissue. By way ofexample but not limitation, in the case of colonoscopies, it has beenfound that approximately 5-40% of patients have an anatomicconfiguration (regional and/or local) of the side wall, and/or a tissueconsistency, and/or colon tethering to other anatomical structures,which makes it difficult to fully visualize the anatomy (includingpathologic conditions of that anatomy, such as polyps or tumors) usingconventional endoscopes, and/or to fully access the anatomy usinginstruments introduced through conventional endoscopes.

In addition to the foregoing, it has also been found that some bodylumens and/or body cavities can spasm and/or contract spontaneously butespecially when an endoscope or other instrument is inserted into thebody lumen and/or body cavity. This spasming and/or contraction cancause the body lumen and/or body cavity to constrict and/or otherwisemove and/or change its configuration, which can further complicateand/or compromise endoscopic visualization of the anatomy, and/orfurther complicate and/or compromise access to the anatomy usinginstruments introduced through conventional, flexible endoscopes. Inaddition, during examination of the colon, which is typically conductedwhile both inserting and withdrawing the endoscope through the colon,the endoscope may grip and/or otherwise gather the colon duringinsertion and withdrawal and then suddenly slip and release the colon.This results in the endoscope moving quickly past significant lengths ofthe colon, thereby making accurate examination of the colon challenging.

It would, therefore, be highly advantageous to provide novel apparatuscapable of manipulating the side wall of a body lumen and/or body cavityso as to better present the side wall tissue (including visualization ofareas initially hidden or outside the field of view) for examinationand/or treatment during an endoscopic procedure.

It would also be highly advantageous to provide novel apparatus capableof steadying and/or stabilizing the distal tips and/or working ends ofinstruments (e.g., endoscopes, articulating and/or non-articulatingdevices such as graspers, cutters or dissectors, cauterizing tools,ultrasound probes, etc.) inserted into a body lumen and/or body cavitywith respect to the side wall of the body lumen and/or body cavity,whereby to facilitate the precision use of those instruments.

Among other things, it would be highly advantageous to provide novelapparatus capable of steadying and/or stabilizing the distal tips and/orworking ends of endoscopes (and hence also steadying and/or stabilizingthe distal tips and/or working ends of other instruments insertedthrough the working channels of those endoscopes, such as graspers,cutters or dissectors, cauterizing tools, ultrasound probes, etc.).

And it would be highly advantageous to provide novel apparatus capableof steadying and/or stabilizing the distal tips and/or working ends ofinstruments (such as graspers, cutters or dissectors, cauterizing tools,ultrasound probes, etc.) advanced to the surgical site by means otherthan through the working channels of endoscopes.

It would also be highly advantageous to be able to straighten bends,“iron out” inner luminal surface folds and create a substantially staticor stable side wall of the body lumen and/or body cavity, whereby toenable more precise visual examination (including visualization of areasinitially hidden or outside the field of view) and/or therapeuticintervention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises the provision and use of novel apparatusfor manipulating the side wall of a body lumen and/or body cavity so asto better present the side wall tissue (including visualization of areasinitially hidden or outside the field of view) for examination and/ortreatment during an endoscopic procedure.

The present invention also comprises the provision and use of novelapparatus capable of steadying and/or stabilizing the distal tips and/orworking ends of instruments (e.g., endoscopes, articulating and/ornon-articulating devices such as graspers, cutters or dissectors,cauterizing tools, ultrasound probes, etc.) inserted into a body lumenand/or body cavity with respect to the side wall of the body lumenand/or body cavity, whereby to facilitate the precision use of thoseinstruments.

Among other things, the present invention comprises the provision anduse of novel apparatus capable of steadying and/or stabilizing thedistal tips and/or working ends of endoscopes (and hence also steadyingand/or stabilizing the distal tips and/or working ends of otherinstruments inserted through the working channels of those endoscopes,such as graspers, cutters or dissectors, cauterizing tools, ultrasoundprobes, etc.).

And the present invention comprises the provision and use of novelapparatus capable of steadying and/or stabilizing the distal tips and/orworking ends of instruments (such as graspers, cutters or dissectors,cauterizing tools, ultrasound probes, etc.) advanced to the surgicalsite by means other than through the working channels of endoscopes.

And the present invention comprises the provision and use of novelapparatus capable of straightening bends, “ironing out” folds andcreating a substantially static or stable side wall of the body lumenand/or body cavity which enables more precise visual examination(including visualization of areas initially hidden or outside the fieldof view) and/or therapeutic intervention.

In one preferred form of the present invention, there is providedapparatus comprising:

a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope;

a proximal balloon secured to said sleeve;

an inflation/deflation tube carried by said sleeve and in fluidcommunication with the interior of said proximal balloon;

a push tube slidably mounted to said sleeve; and

a distal balloon secured to the distal end of said push tube, theinterior of said distal balloon being in fluid communication with saidpush tube, wherein said distal balloon is capable of assuming a deflatedcondition and an inflated condition, and further wherein when saiddistal balloon is in its deflated condition, an axial opening extendstherethrough, said axial opening being sized to receive the endoscopetherein, and when said distal balloon is in its inflated condition, saidaxial opening is closed down.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided amethod for performing a procedure in a body lumen and/or body cavity,said method comprising:

providing apparatus comprising:

-   -   a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope;    -   a proximal balloon secured to said sleeve;    -   an inflation/deflation tube carried by said sleeve and in fluid        communication with the interior of said proximal balloon;    -   a push tube slidably mounted to said sleeve; and    -   a distal balloon secured to the distal end of said push tube,        the interior of said distal balloon being in fluid communication        with said push tube, wherein said distal balloon is capable of        assuming a deflated condition and an inflated condition, and        further wherein when said distal balloon is in its deflated        condition, an axial opening extends therethrough, said axial        opening being sized to receive the endoscope therein, and when        said distal balloon is in its inflated condition, said axial        opening is closed down;

positioning said apparatus in the body lumen and/or body cavity;

inflating said proximal balloon;

advancing said push tube distally;

inflating said distal balloon; and

performing the procedure.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is providedapparatus comprising:

a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope, saidsleeve comprising a passageway formed integral with said sleeve and alumen formed integral with said sleeve for receiving an instrument;

a proximal balloon secured to said sleeve;

an inflation/deflation tube carried by said sleeve and in fluidcommunication with the interior of said proximal balloon;

a push tube slidably mounted in said passageway of said sleeve; and

a distal balloon secured to the distal end of said push tube, theinterior of said distal balloon being in fluid communication with saidpush tube.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided amethod for performing a procedure in a body lumen and/or body cavity,said method comprising:

providing apparatus comprising:

-   -   a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope,        said sleeve comprising a passageway formed integral with said        sleeve and a lumen formed integral with said sleeve for        receiving an instrument;    -   a proximal balloon secured to said sleeve;    -   an inflation/deflation tube carried by said sleeve and in fluid        communication with the interior of said proximal balloon;    -   a push tube slidably mounted in said passageway of said sleeve;        and    -   a distal balloon secured to the distal end of said push tube,        the interior of said distal balloon being in fluid communication        with said push tube;

positioning said apparatus in the body lumen and/or body cavity;

inflating said proximal balloon;

advancing said push tube distally;

inflating said distal balloon; and

performing the procedure.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is providedapparatus comprising:

a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope so as tosubstantially cover the endoscope from a point adjacent to the distalend of the endoscope to a point adjacent to the handle of the endoscope;

a proximal balloon secured to said sleeve;

an inflation/deflation tube carried by said sleeve and in fluidcommunication with the interior of said proximal balloon;

a push tube slidably mounted to said sleeve; and

a distal balloon secured to the distal end of said push tube, theinterior of said distal balloon being in fluid communication with saidpush tube.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided amethod for performing a procedure in a body lumen and/or body cavity,said method comprising:

providing apparatus comprising:

-   -   a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope so        as to substantially cover the endoscope from a point adjacent to        the distal end of the endoscope to a point adjacent to the        handle of the endoscope;    -   a proximal balloon secured to said sleeve;    -   an inflation/deflation tube carried by said sleeve and in fluid        communication with the interior of said proximal balloon;    -   a push tube slidably mounted to said sleeve; and    -   a distal balloon secured to the distal end of said push tube,        the interior of said distal balloon being in fluid communication        with said push tube;

positioning said apparatus in the body lumen and/or body cavity;

inflating said proximal balloon;

advancing said push tube distally;

inflating said distal balloon; and

performing the procedure.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is providedapparatus comprising:

a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope;

a proximal balloon secured to said sleeve;

an inflation/deflation tube carried by said sleeve and in fluidcommunication with the interior of said proximal balloon;

a pair of push tubes slidably mounted to said sleeve; and

a distal balloon secured to the distal ends of said pair of push tubes,the interior of said distal balloon being in fluid communication withsaid pair of push tubes.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided amethod for performing a procedure in a body lumen and/or body cavity,said method comprising:

providing apparatus comprising:

-   -   a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope;    -   a proximal balloon secured to said sleeve;    -   an inflation/deflation tube carried by said sleeve and in fluid        communication with the interior of said proximal balloon;    -   a pair of push tubes slidably mounted to said sleeve; and    -   a distal balloon secured to the distal ends of said pair of push        tubes, the interior of said distal balloon being in fluid        communication with said pair of push tubes;

positioning said apparatus in the body lumen and/or body cavity;

inflating said proximal balloon;

advancing said pair of push tubes distally;

inflating said distal balloon; and

performing the procedure.

In yet another preferred form of the invention, there is providedapparatus for inverting an elongated flexible tubular sleeve having aproximal end, a distal end and a central lumen extending between theproximal end and the distal end, the apparatus comprising:

a hollow tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a centrallumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and

an elongated rod movably disposed within the central lumen of the hollowtube, the elongated rod having a proximal end and a distal end, whereinthe distal end of the elongated rod comprises a sleeve plug for securinga distal end of an elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal endof the hollow tube;

wherein, when the elongated flexible tubular sleeve is disposed over thehollow tube, (i) the sleeve plug of the elongated rod is configured tobe moved proximally to clamp the distal end of the elongated flexibletubular sleeve to the distal end of the hollow tube, and (ii) the sleeveplug of the elongated rod is configured to be moved distally to releasethe distal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve from the distalend of the hollow tube;

and further wherein when the distal end of the elongated flexibletubular sleeve is clamped to the distal end of the hollow tube, theproximal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve can be pulledtoward the distal end of the hollow tube to invert the elongatedflexible tubular sleeve.

In yet another preferred form of the invention, there is provided amethod for inverting an elongated, flexible tubular sleeve having aproximal end, a distal end and a central lumen extending between theproximal end and the distal end, the method comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising:

-   -   a hollow tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a        central lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal        end; and    -   an elongated rod movably disposed within the central lumen of        the hollow tube, the elongated rod having a proximal end and a        distal end, wherein the distal end of the elongated rod        comprises a sleeve plug for securing a distal end of an        elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal end of the        hollow tube;

disposing the elongated flexible tubular sleeve over the hollow tube;

moving the elongated rod proximally, whereby to clamp the distal end ofthe elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal end of the hollowtube; and

pulling the proximal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleevedistally toward the distal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve,whereby to invert the elongated flexible tubular sleeve.

In yet another preferred form of the invention, there is providedapparatus comprising:

a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope, whereinthe sleeve comprises a sleeve proximal end, a sleeve distal end and asleeve lumen extending therebetween, and further wherein the sleeve isconfigured to be slid over the exterior surface of the endoscope so asthat the interior surface of the sleeve lumen substantially covers theexterior surface of the endoscope from a point adjacent to the distalend of the endoscope to a point adjacent to the handle of the endoscope,wherein the interior surface of the sleeve lumen comprises a hydrophiliccoating; and

at least one support channel carried by the sleeve, wherein the at leastone support channel comprises a channel proximal end, a channel distalend and a channel lumen extending therebetween.

In yet another preferred form of the invention, there is provided amethod for applying a hydrophilic coating to a sleeve adapted to be slidover the exterior of an endoscope, wherein the sleeve comprises:

-   -   a sleeve proximal end, a sleeve distal end and a sleeve lumen        extending therebetween, and further wherein the sleeve is        configured to be slid over the exterior of the endoscope so as        that the interior surface of the sleeve lumen substantially        covers the exterior of the endoscope from a point adjacent to        the distal end of the endoscope to a point adjacent to the        handle of the endoscope; and at least one support channel        carried by the sleeve, wherein the at least one support channel        comprises a channel proximal end, a channel distal end and a        channel lumen extending therebetween;

wherein the method comprises:

-   -   inverting the sleeve;

applying the hydrophilic coating to the inverted interior surface of thesleeve lumen;

allowing the hydrophilic coating to cure; and

reverting the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention will bemore fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is tobe considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein likenumbers refer to like parts and further wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing novel apparatus formed in accordancewith the present invention, wherein the novel apparatus comprises, amongother things, a sleeve for disposition over the end of an endoscope, anaft balloon mounted to the sleeve, a pair of push tubes slidably mountedto the sleeve, a fore balloon mounted to the distal end of the pushtubes, and a push tube handle mounted to the proximal ends of the pushtubes;

FIGS. 2-4 are schematic views showing various dispositions of the foreballoon relative to the aft balloon;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing further details of the distal end ofthe apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic views showing further details of the foreballoon;

FIG. 8A is a schematic view showing the push tube handle;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic views showing construction details of thefore balloon;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing one form of inflation mechanismprovided in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a schematic view showing another form of inflation mechanismprovided in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic views showing another form of inflationmechanism provided in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing relief valves which may be used toensure that the pressure within the fore balloon and/or aft balloon doesnot exceed a predetermined level;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing a retraction system which may beused to take up slack in a flexible tube of the apparatus shown in FIG.1;

FIGS. 16-30 are schematic views showing preferred ways of using theapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 30A is a schematic view showing an alternative construction for thepush tubes and push tube handle of the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a schematic view showing another form of the sleeve, whereinthe sleeve comprises additional lumens for receiving instruments;

FIGS. 32-35 are schematic views showing how instruments may be advancedthrough the additional lumens of the sleeve;

FIG. 36 is a schematic view showing instrument guide tubes which may bedisposed in the additional lumens of the sleeve, wherein instruments maybe advanced through the instrument guide tubes;

FIGS. 37-41A are schematic views showing a novel system for inverting asleeve;

FIGS. 42-50, 50A and 51-66 are schematic views showing a novel methodfor inverting a sleeve;

FIGS. 67-70 are schematic views showing a novel system for reverting aninverted sleeve;

FIGS. 71-82 are schematic views showing a novel method for reverting aninverted sleeve; and

FIGS. 83-96 are schematic views showing an alternative clamp formounting a distal end of a sleeve to a hollow tube and a method forusing the alternative clamp to invert the sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention comprises the provision and use of novel apparatusfor manipulating the side wall of a body lumen and/or body cavity so asto better present the side wall tissue (including visualization of areasinitially hidden or outside the field of view) for examination and/ortreatment during an endoscopic procedure.

(As used herein, the term “endoscopic procedure” is intended to meansubstantially any minimally-invasive or limited access procedure,diagnostic and/or therapeutic and/or surgical, for accessing,endoluminally or transluminally or otherwise, the interior of a bodylumen and/or body cavity for the purposes of viewing, biopsying and/ortreating tissue, including removing a lesion and/or resecting tissue,etc.)

The present invention also comprises the provision and use of novelapparatus capable of steadying and/or stabilizing the distal tips and/orworking ends of instruments (e.g., endoscopes, articulating and/ornon-articulating devices such as graspers, cutters or dissectors,cauterizing tools, ultrasound probes, etc.) inserted into a body lumenand/or body cavity with respect to the side wall of the body lumenand/or body cavity, whereby to facilitate the precision use of thoseinstruments.

Among other things, the present invention comprises the provision anduse of novel apparatus capable of steadying and/or stabilizing thedistal tips and/or working ends of endoscopes (and hence also steadyingand/or stabilizing the distal tips and/or working ends of otherinstruments inserted through the working channels of those endoscopes,such as graspers, cutters or dissectors, cauterizing tools, ultrasoundprobes, etc.).

And the present invention comprises the provision and use of novelapparatus capable of steadying and/or stabilizing the distal tips and/orworking ends of instruments (such as graspers, cutters or dissectors,cauterizing tools, ultrasound probes, etc.) advanced to the surgicalsite by means other than through the working channels of endoscopes.

And the present invention comprises the provision and use of novelapparatus capable of straightening bends, “ironing out” folds andcreating a substantially static or stable side wall of the body lumenand/or body cavity which enables more precise visual examination(including visualization of areas initially hidden or outside the fieldof view) and/or therapeutic intervention.

The Novel Apparatus

In accordance with the present invention, and looking now at FIG. 1,there is shown novel apparatus 5 which is capable of manipulating (e.g.,stabilizing, straightening, expanding and/or flattening, etc.) the sidewall of a body lumen and/or body cavity so as to better present the sidewall tissue (including visualization of areas initially hidden oroutside the field of view) for examination and/or treatment during anendoscopic procedure using an endoscope 10 (e.g., an articulatingendoscope), and/or for stabilizing the distal end of endoscope 10 and/orthe distal tips and/or working ends of other instruments (e.g.,graspers, cutters or dissectors, cauterizing tools, ultrasound probes,etc., not shown in FIG. 1).

More particularly, apparatus 5 generally comprises a sleeve 15 adaptedto be slid over the exterior of the shaft of endoscope 10, a proximal(or “aft”) balloon 20 (the terms “proximal” and “aft” will hereinafterbe used interchangeably) secured to sleeve 15 near the distal end of thesleeve, and a base 25 secured to sleeve 15 at the proximal end of thesleeve. Apparatus 5 also comprises a pair of push tubes 30 slidablymounted to sleeve 15 as will hereinafter be discussed, and a distal (or“fore”) balloon 35 (the terms “distal” and “fore” will hereinafter beused interchangeably) secured to the distal ends of push tubes 30, suchthat the spacing between aft balloon 20 and fore balloon 35 can beadjusted by the physician (or other operator or user) by moving pushtubes 30 relative to sleeve 15 (e.g., by advancing the two push tubessimultaneously at push tube handle 37, see below). See FIGS. 1 and 2-4.Apparatus 5 also comprises an associated inflation mechanism 40 (FIG. 1)for enabling selective inflation/deflation of one or both of aft balloon20 and fore balloon 35 by the physician or (or other operator or user).

Looking now at FIGS. 1-6, sleeve 15 generally comprises an elongated,thin-walled tube configured to be slid over the exterior of the shaft ofendoscope 10 (e.g., retrograde from the distal tip of the endoscope) soas to make a close fit therewith, with the sleeve being sized andconstructed so that it will slide easily back over the endoscope duringmounting thereon (preferably with the scope “dry”) but will havesufficient residual friction (when gripped by the hand of the physicianor other operator or user) with the outer surface of the endoscope suchthat the sleeve will remain in place to allow torqueing (i.e.,rotational turning) and pushing/pulling of the endoscope during use(e.g., within the colon of a patient). In one preferred form of theinvention, sleeve 15 can move circumferentially to some extent aboutendoscope 10 (and when gripped securely by the hand of the physician orother operator or user, can rotate in conjunction with the shaft of theendoscope); but sleeve 15 can only move nominally in an axial directionrelative to endoscope 10. Sleeve 15 is sized so that when its distal endis substantially aligned with the distal end of endoscope 10, sleeve 15(in conjunction with base 25) will substantially cover the shaft of theendoscope. In any case, sleeve 15 is sized so that when it is mounted toendoscope 10 and endoscope 10 is inserted into a patient, sleeve 15extends out of the body of the patient. In one preferred form of theinvention, apparatus 5 is provided according to the particular endoscopewith which it is intended to be used, with apparatus 5 being sized sothat when base 25 is in engagement with the handle of the endoscope, thedistal end of sleeve 15 will be appropriately positioned at the distalend of the endoscope, i.e., substantially aligned with the distal end ofthe endoscope or slightly proximal to the distal end of the endoscope.

If desired, the distal end of sleeve 15 may be provided with aradially-inwardly-extending stop (not shown) to positively engage thedistal end surface of endoscope 10, whereby to prevent the distal end ofsleeve 15 from moving proximally beyond the distal end surface ofendoscope 10. Such a radially-inwardly-extending stop can also assist inpreventing “torque slip” of sleeve 15 relative to endoscope 10 duringtorqueing (i.e., rotational turning) of the endoscope while within thecolon, and/or “thrust slip” of sleeve 15 relative to endoscope 10 duringforward pushing of the endoscope while within the colon.

Sleeve 15 preferably has a smooth outer surface so as to benon-traumatic to tissue, and is preferably made of a highly flexiblematerial such that the sleeve will not inhibit bending of the endoscopeduring use. In one preferred form of the invention, sleeve 15 comprisespolyurethane, polyethylene, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC),polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc., and is preferably transparent (orat least translucent) so as to allow distance markings on endoscope 10to be visualized through sleeve 15. And in one preferred form of theinvention, sleeve 15 preferably has nominal hoop strength, so that thephysician (or other operator or user) can grip endoscope 10 throughsleeve 15, e.g., so as to torque the scope. If desired, sleeve 15 caninclude a lubricious coating (e.g., a liquid such as perfluoropolyethersynthetic oil, a powder, etc.) on some or all of its interior and/orexterior surfaces, so as to facilitate disposition of the sleeve overthe endoscope and/or movement of apparatus 5 through a body lumen and/orbody cavity. Alternatively, sleeve 15 may be formed of a material whichis itself lubricious, e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc. Itshould be appreciated that the inside surface of sleeve 15 may includefeatures (e.g., ribs) to prevent the sleeve from rotating relative tothe endoscope during use.

If desired, a vacuum may be “pulled” between sleeve 15 and endoscope 10,whereby to secure sleeve 15 to endoscope 10 and minimize the profile ofsleeve 15. By way of example but not limitation, a vacuum may beintroduced at the proximal end of sleeve 15 (i.e., at base 25) or avacuum may be introduced at a point intermediate sleeve 15. By way offurther example but not limitation, it should also be appreciated thatremoval of sleeve 15 from endoscope 10 (e.g., at the conclusion of aprocedure) may be facilitated by introducing a fluid (e.g., air or aliquid lubricant) into the space between sleeve 15 and endoscope 10,e.g., at the proximal end of sleeve 15 (i.e., at base 25) orintermediate sleeve 15.

Still looking now at FIGS. 1-6, aft balloon 20 is secured to sleeve 15just proximal to the articulating joint of the endoscope near to, butspaced from, the distal end of the sleeve. Aft balloon 20 is disposedconcentrically about sleeve 15, and hence concentrically about anendoscope 10 disposed within sleeve 15. Thus, aft balloon 20 has agenerally toroidal shape. Aft balloon 20 may be selectivelyinflated/deflated by means of a proximal inflation/deflation tube 45which has its distal end in fluid communication with the interior of aftballoon 20, and which has its proximal end in fluid communication with afitting 46 mounted to base 25. Fitting 46 is configured for connectionto the aforementioned associated inflation mechanism 40. Fitting 46 ispreferably a luer-activated valve, allowing inflation mechanism 40 to bedisconnected from fitting 46 without losing pressure in aft balloon 20.Inflation/deflation tube 45 may be secured to the exterior surface ofsleeve 15 or, more preferably, inflation/deflation tube 45 may becontained within a lumen 47 formed within sleeve 15.

Preferably aft balloon 20 is disposed a short distance back from thedistal end of sleeve 15, i.e., by a distance which is approximately thesame as the length of the articulating portion of a steerable endoscope10, such that the articulating portion of the steerable endoscope willbe disposed distal to aft balloon 20 when the steerable endoscope isdisposed in sleeve 15. This construction allows the flexible portion ofthe steerable endoscope to be articulated even when aft balloon 20 hasbeen inflated in the anatomy so as to stabilize the adjacentnon-articulating portion of the endoscope relative to the anatomy, aswill hereinafter be discussed in further detail. Thus, when inflated,aft balloon 20 provides a secure platform for maintaining endoscope 10in a stable position within a body lumen or body cavity, with endoscope10 centered within the body lumen or body cavity. As a result, endoscope10 can provide improved visualization of the anatomy. Furthermore,inasmuch as endoscope 10 is securely maintained within the body lumen orbody cavity by the inflated aft balloon 20, instruments advanced throughthe internal lumens (sometimes referred to as the “working channel” or“working channels”) of endoscope 10 will also be provided with a secureplatform for supporting those instruments within the body lumen or bodycavity.

When aft balloon 20 is appropriately inflated, the aft balloon canatraumatically engage and form a sealing relationship with the side wallof a body lumen within which apparatus 5 is disposed.

In one preferred form of the invention, aft balloon 20 is formed out ofpolyurethane.

Base 25 is secured to the proximal end of sleeve 15. Base 25 engagesendoscope 10 and helps secure the entire assembly (i.e., apparatus 5) toendoscope 10. Base 25 preferably comprises a substantially rigid orsemi-rigid structure which may be gripped by the physician (or otheroperator or user) and pulled proximally, whereby to allow the physician(or other operator or user) to pull sleeve 15 over the distal end ofendoscope 10 and then proximally back along the length of endoscope 10,whereby to mount sleeve 15 to the outer surface of the shaft of theendoscope. In one preferred form of the invention, base 25 is pulledproximally along the endoscope until base 25 seats against the handle ofthe endoscope, thereby prohibiting further proximal movement of base 25(and hence thereby prohibiting further proximal movement of sleeve 15).In one preferred form of the invention, base 25 makes a sealingengagement with endoscope 10.

Push tubes 30 are slidably mounted to sleeve 15, whereby the distal endsof the push tubes can be extended and/or retracted relative to sleeve 15(e.g., by advancing or withdrawing the push tubes via push tube handle37, see below), and hence extended and/or retracted relative to thedistal end of endoscope 10 which is disposed in sleeve 15. Preferably,push tubes 30 are slidably disposed in support tubes 50 which aresecured to the outer surface of sleeve 15 or, more preferably, arecontained within lumens 52 formed within sleeve 15. Support tubes 50 arepreferably formed out of a low friction material (e.g.,polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as “PTFE”) so as to minimizeresistance to movement of push tubes 30 relative to support tubes 50(and hence minimize resistance to movement of push tubes 30 relative tosleeve 15). In this respect it should be appreciated that minimizingresistance to the movement of push tube 30 relative to support tubes 50improves tactile feedback to the user when push tubes 30 are being usedto manipulate fore balloon 35. In one form of the invention, supporttubes 50 are flexible (so as to permit endoscope 10, and particularlythe articulating portion of steerable endoscope 10, to flex as neededduring the procedure); however, support tubes 50 also provide somecolumn strength. Thus, when support tubes 50 are mounted within lumens52 formed in sleeve 15, the assembly of sleeve 15 and support tubes 50is flexible yet has a degree of column strength (whereas sleeve 15 aloneis flexible but has substantially no column strength). In the event thatpush tubes 30 are contained within lumens 52 formed in sleeve 15, and inthe event that support tubes 50 are not disposed between push tubes 30and lumens 52, lumens 52 are preferably lubricated so as to minimizefriction between push tubes 30 and lumens 52.

The proximal ends of push tubes 30 are connected to push tube handle 37.As a result of this construction, pushing distally on push tube handle37 causes the distal ends of push tubes 30 to move distally (at the samerate) relative to sleeve 15 (whereby to move fore balloon 35 distallyrelative to aft balloon 20) and pulling proximally on push tube handle37 causes the distal ends of push tubes 30 to retract proximally (at thesame rate) relative to sleeve 15 (whereby to move fore balloon 35proximally relative to aft balloon 20). Note that by moving push tubes30 distally or proximally at the same rate, the distal ends of the pushtubes are maintained parallel to each other. A clamp 53 (FIGS. 12 and15) is provided at base 25 for holding push tubes 30 in a selecteddisposition relative to base 25 (and hence in a selected dispositionrelative to sleeve 15).

Push tubes 30 are preferably formed out of a relatively flexiblematerial which provides good column strength, e.g., a thermoplasticpolyethylene resin such as Isoplast™ (available from The LubrizolCorporation of Wickliffe, Ohio), polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon,etc. It should be appreciated that push tubes 30 can comprise a singlematerial or a plurality of materials, and that the stiffness of pushtubes 30 can vary along their length. By way of example but notlimitation, the distal-most portion of push tubes 30 can be formed ofthe same material as the remainder of the push tubes but have a lowermodulus so as to be more flexible than the remainder of the push tubes,or the distal-most portion of push tubes 30 can comprise a different,more resilient flexible material. By way of example but not limitation,the distal-most portion of push tubes 30 can comprise Nitinol. By way offurther example but not limitation, the distal-most portion of pushtubes 30 can comprise a stainless steel coil covered with an outerjacket of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), with the distal-mostjacket/more-proximal tubing together providing a sealed lumen forinflating/deflating fore balloon 35. By forming push tubes 30 withdistal ends which are more flexible than the remainder of the pushtubes, the push tubes 30 and fore balloon 35 can together function as alead (with a soft atraumatic tip) for apparatus 5 and endoscope 10, asdiscussed further below.

In one preferred form of the invention, push tubes 30 are configured tomaintain a parallel disposition when they are in an unbiased state,i.e., when no force is being applied to push tubes 30. This is trueregardless of the state of inflation or deflation of fore balloon 35.

The distal-most portion of push tubes 30 can be configured to bendinwardly or outwardly if desired. With such a configuration, when thedistal tips of push tubes 30 are maintained stationary (e.g., by aninflated fore balloon, as will hereinafter be discussed) and asufficient distally-directed force is applied to push tubes 30, themiddle portions of push tubes 30 (i.e., the portions between theinflated fore balloon 35 and sleeve 15) can bend or bow outwardly,whereby to push outwardly on the side wall of the body lumen whichapparatus 5 is disposed in, thereby providing a “tenting” effect on theside wall of the body lumen and/or body cavity in the space between aftballoon 20 and fore balloon 35. This “tenting” effect can significantlyenhance visibility and/or tissue stability in the area distal toendoscope 10, by pushing outwardly on the side wall of the body lumenand/or body cavity in which apparatus 5 is disposed.

It should also be appreciated that by forming push tubes 30 out of aflexible material, it is possible to manually adjust their positionduring use (e.g., by using a separate tool, by torqueing the apparatus,etc.) so as to prevent the push tubes from interfering withvisualization of the patient's anatomy and/or interfering withdiagnostic or therapeutic tools introduced into the space between thefore and aft balloons. By way of example but not limitation, ifapparatus 5 is disposed in the anatomy in such a way that a push tube 30blocks visual or physical access to a target region of the anatomy, theflexible push tube 30 may be moved out of the way by using a separatetool or instrument, or by rotating the apparatus with a torqueing motionso as to move the flexible push tube 30 out of the way, etc. By way offurther example but not limitation, by constructing push tubes 30 sothat they are circular and flexible and of a diameter significantlysmaller than the round circumference of endoscope 10, the movement ofthe round endoscope, when articulated, can simply push the push tubesout of the way and provides a unobstructed visual path to the tissue ofinterest.

It should also be appreciated that, if desired, push tubes 30 can bemarked with an indicator including distance markers (not shown in thefigures), e.g., colored indicators or radiopaque indicators, so that aphysician (or other operator or user) observing the surgical site viaendoscope 10 or by radiological guidance (e.g., X-ray fluoroscopy) canascertain the relative disposition of push tubes 30 at the surgical siteboth longitudinally and/or circumferentially with respect to the sidewall of the body lumen and/or other body cavity.

As will hereinafter be discussed in further detail, push tubes 30 arehollow, and have their distal ends in fluid communication with theinterior of fore balloon 35 (FIGS. 1-5, 7 and 8) and their internallumens in fluid communication with a fitting 56 mounted to base 25.Fitting 56 is configured for connection to the aforementioned associatedinflation mechanism 40, in order that fore balloon 35 may be selectivelyinflated/deflated with air or other fluids (including liquids). Fitting56 is preferably a luer-activated valve, allowing inflation mechanism 40to be disconnected from fitting 56 without losing pressure in foreballoon 35.

More particularly, in one preferred form of the present invention, andlooking now at FIG. 8A, push tube handle 37 comprises a hollow interior57. Push tubes 30 are mounted to push tube handle 37 so that push tubes30 will move in conjunction with push tube handle 37, and so that thehollow interiors of push tubes 30 are in fluid communication with thehollow interior 57 of push tube handle 37. Push tube handle 37 alsocomprises a fitting 58 which is in fluid communication with hollowinterior 57 of push tube handle 37. A flexible tube 59 connects fitting58 with an internal chamber (not shown) in base 25, with this internalchamber in base 25 being in fluid communication with the aforementionedfitting 56. As a result of this construction, when push tube handle 37is moved distally, fore balloon 35 is moved distally, and when push tubehandle 37 is moved proximally, fore balloon 35 is moved proximally.

Furthermore, when positive fluid pressure is applied to fitting 56 inbase 25, positive fluid pressure is applied to the interior of foreballoon 35, whereby to inflate fore balloon 35, and when negative fluidpressure is applied to fitting 56 in base 25, negative fluid pressure isapplied to the interior of fore balloon 35, whereby to deflate foreballoon 35.

It should be appreciated that the provision of dual push tubes providesnumerous advantages. By way of example but not limitation, the provisionof dual push tubes provides a symmetric force to fore balloon 35 whenthe fore balloon is advanced distally into a body lumen, as willhereinafter be discussed. Furthermore, the provision of dual push tubes30 provides equal outward forces against the adjacent anatomy when thepush tubes are employed to straighten out the anatomy in the areaproximate the distal end of endoscope 10, thereby enhancingvisualization of, and/or access to, the anatomy, as will hereinafter bediscussed. In addition, the provision of dual push tubes ensures thatfore balloon 35 remains centered on endoscope 10, thereby facilitatingun-docking of fore balloon 35 from endoscope 10 and re-docking of foreballoon 35 over endoscope 10, as will hereinafter be discussed. Inaddition, the provision of dual push tubes 30 helps ensure that foreballoon 35 is stable relative to the tip of the endoscope, minimizingrotational movement of the fore balloon when inflated. Furthermore, theprovision of dual hollow push tubes provides a redundant air transfersystem for inflating or deflating fore balloon 35.

Fore balloon 35 is secured to the distal ends of push tubes 30, wherebythe spacing between aft balloon 20 and fore balloon 35 can be adjustedby moving push tubes 30 relative to sleeve 15, i.e., by moving push tubehandle 37 relative to sleeve 15. Furthermore, hollow push tubes 30provide a conduit between the interior of fore balloon 35 and fitting56, whereby to permit selective inflation/deflation of fore balloon 35via fitting 56.

Significantly, fore balloon 35 is configured so that (i) when it isdeflated (or partially deflated) and it is in its “retracted” positionrelative to sleeve 15 (FIG. 2), fore balloon 35 provides an axialopening 63 (FIGS. 7, 8 and 10) sufficient to accommodate sleeve 15 andthe shaft of endoscope 10 therein, whereby fore balloon 35 can be“docked” over sleeve 15 and endoscope 10, and (ii) when fore balloon 35is in its “extended” position relative to sleeve 15 and is appropriatelyinflated (FIG. 4), axial opening 63 is closed down (and preferablycompletely closed off). At the same time, when appropriately inflated,the fore balloon can atraumatically engage and form a sealingrelationship with the side wall of a body lumen and/or body cavitywithin which apparatus 5 is disposed. Thus, when fore balloon 35 isappropriately inflated, the fore balloon can effectively seal the bodylumen and/or body cavity distal to fore balloon 35, by closing downaxial opening 63 and forming a sealing relationship with the side wallof the body lumen and/or body cavity within which apparatus 5 isdisposed. In this way, when push tubes 30 are advanced distally so as toseparate fore balloon 35 from aft balloon 20, and when fore balloon 35and aft balloon 20 are appropriately inflated, the two balloons willcreate a sealed zone therebetween (sometimes hereinafter referred to as“the therapeutic zone”).

It will be appreciated that, when fore balloon 35 is reconfigured fromits deflated condition to its inflated condition, fore balloon 35expands radially inwardly (so as to close down axial opening 63) as wellas radially outwardly (so as to engage the surrounding tissue).

Thus it will be seen that fore balloon 35 has a “torus” shape whendeflated (to allow it to seat over the distal end of the endoscope) anda substantially “solid” shape when inflated (to allow it to close off abody lumen or body cavity). To this end, and looking now at FIGS. 9 and10, fore balloon 35 is preferably manufactured as a single constructcomprising a body 67 having a proximal opening 69 and a distal opening71, a proximal extension 73 having a “key-shaped” cross-sectioncomprising lobes 74, and a distal extension 76 having a circularcross-section. Note that lobes 74 are disposed on proximal extension 73with a configuration which matches the configuration of push tubes 30(i.e., where apparatus 5 comprises two push tubes 30 diametricallyopposed to one another, proximal extension 73 will comprise two lobes 74diametrically opposed to one another; where apparatus 5 comprises threepush tubes 30 equally-circumferentially-spaced about the perimeter ofsleeve 15, proximal extension 73 will comprise three lobes 74equally-circumferentially-spaced about the perimeter of proximalextension 73; where apparatus 5 comprises one push tube 30, proximalextension 73 will comprise one lobe 74, etc.—for the purposes of thepresent invention, proximal extension 73 and lobe(s) 74 may becollectively referred to as having a “key-shaped” cross-section). Duringassembly, push tubes 30 are seated in lobes 74 of proximal extension 73,proximal extension 73 is everted into the interior of body 67 (with theinteriors of hollow push tubes 30 being in fluid communication with theinterior of body 67), and then distal extension 76 is everted into theinterior of proximal extension 73, whereby to provide a fore balloon 35having axial opening 63 extending therethrough, with push tubes 30 beingsecured to fore balloon 35 and communicating with the interior of foreballoon 35. Significantly, axial opening 63 is sized to receive thedistal end of endoscope 10 therein. Also significantly, the formation offore balloon 35 by the aforementioned process of everting proximalextension 73 into the interior of body 67, and then everting distalextension 76 into the interior of proximal extension 73, providesmultiple layers of balloon material around push tubes 30, therebyproviding a more robust balloon construction. Among other things,providing multiple layers of balloon material around push tubes 30 addscushioning to the distal ends of push tubes 30, thereby providing aneven more atraumatic distal tip to push tubes 30 and further ensuringthat the distal tips of push tubes 30 do not damage the adjacent tissue.

In one preferred form of the invention, fore balloon 35 is formed out ofpolyurethane.

It should be appreciated that when fore balloon 35 is in its deflatedcondition, the material of fore balloon 35 substantially encompasses thedistal ends of push tubes 30 (while still allowing push tubes 30 to bein fluid communication with the interior of fore balloon 35), therebyproviding an atraumatic tip for advancing fore balloon 35 distallythrough a body lumen. Furthermore, push tubes 30 and the deflated foreballoon 35 can, together, essentially function as a soft-tipped lead forapparatus 5 and endoscope 10, as discussed further below (FIG. 20).

If desired, one or both of aft balloon 20 and fore balloon 35 can bemarked with an indicator (e.g., a color indicator or a radiopaqueindicator) so that a physician (or other operator or user) observing thesurgical site via endoscope 10 or radiological guidance (e.g., X-rayfluoroscopy) can ascertain the disposition of one or both of theballoons at the surgical site.

Inflation mechanism 40 provides a means to selectively inflate aftballoon 20 and/or fore balloon 35.

In one preferred form of the present invention, and looking now at FIGS.1 and 11, inflation mechanism 40 comprises a single-line syringeinserter 140 comprising a body 145 and a plunger 150. Preferably aspring 153 is provided in body 145 to automatically return plunger 150at the end of its stroke. Syringe inserter 140 is connected to one orthe other of fittings 46, 56 via a line 155. Thus, with thisconstruction, when single-line syringe inserter 140 is to be used toinflate aft balloon 20, syringe inserter 140 is connected to fitting 46via line 155 so that the output of single-line syringe inserter 140 isdirected to aft balloon 20 (i.e., via proximal inflation/deflation tube45). Correspondingly, when single-line syringe inserter 140 is to beused to inflate fore balloon 35, syringe inserter 140 is connected tofitting 56 via line 155 so that the output of single-line syringeinserter 140 is directed to fore balloon 35 (i.e., via flexible tube 59and the hollow interiors of push tubes 30).

In another preferred form of the present invention, inflation mechanism40 comprises an elastic bulb 156 having a first port 157 and a secondport 158. A one-way valve 159 (e.g., a check valve) is disposed in firstport 157 so that air can only pass through first port 157 when travelingin an outward direction. Another one-way valve 159 (e.g., a check valve)is disposed in second port 158 so that air can only pass through secondport 158 when traveling in an inward direction. When elastic bulb 156 iscompressed (e.g., by hand), air within the interior of elastic bulb 156is forced out first port 157; and when elastic bulb 156 is thereafterreleased, air is drawn back into the interior of elastic bulb 156through second port 158.

As a result of this construction, when elastic bulb 156 is to be used toinflate aft balloon 20, first port 157 is connected to fitting 46 vialine 155 so that the positive pressure output of elastic bulb 156 isdirected to aft balloon 20. Elastic bulb 156 may thereafter be used todeflate aft balloon 20, i.e., by connecting second port 158 to fitting46 via line 155 so that the suction of elastic bulb 156 is directed toaft balloon 20. Correspondingly, when elastic bulb 156 is to be used toinflate fore balloon 35, first port 157 is connected to fitting 56 vialine 155 so that the positive pressure output of elastic bulb 156 isdirected to fore balloon 35. Elastic bulb 156 may thereafter be used todeflate fore balloon 35, i.e., by connecting second port 158 to fitting56 via line 155 so that the suction of elastic bulb 156 is directed tofore balloon 35.

Alternatively, and looking now at FIGS. 12 and 13, a syringe 160 may beused to inflate aft balloon 20 and/or fore balloon 35. Inflationmechanism 160 comprises a body 161 and a plunger 162. Preferably aspring (not shown) is provided in body 161 to automatically returnplunger 162 at the end of its power stroke. Syringe 160 is connected tofittings 46, 56 via a line 163. With this construction, syringe 160comprises a valve 165 for connecting syringe 160 to fore balloon 35 oraft balloon 20, and a valve 170 for selecting inflation or deflation ofthe connected-to balloon.

Thus, with this construction, when syringe 160 is to be used to inflateaft balloon 20, valve 165 (a two-position valve that connects valve 170to either the fore balloon or the aft balloon) is set so that thesyringe 160 is connected through fitting 46 to aft balloon 20, and valve170 (a 2-way crossover valve which allows the one-way valves to bearranged to inflate in one configuration and deflate in the otherconfiguration) is set so that syringe 160 is providing inflationpressure. Thereafter, when aft balloon 20 is to be deflated, valve 170is set to its deflate position.

Correspondingly, when syringe 160 is to be used to inflate fore balloon35, valve 165 is set so that syringe 160 is connected through fitting 56to fore balloon 35, and valve 170 is set so that syringe 160 isproviding inflation pressure. Thereafter, when fore balloon 35 is to bedeflated, valve 170 is set to its deflate position.

In yet another form of the invention, inflation mechanism 40 maycomprise an automated source of fluid pressure (either positive ornegative), e.g., an electric pump.

If desired, and looking now at FIG. 14, a relief valve 175 can beconnected to the inflation/deflation line which connects to fore balloon35 so as to ensure that the pressure within fore balloon 35 does notexceed a predetermined level. Similarly, and still looking now at FIG.14, a relief valve 180 can be connected to the inflation/deflation linewhich connects to aft balloon 20 so as to ensure that the pressurewithin aft balloon 20 does not exceed a predetermined level.

Alternatively, and/or additionally, one or more pressure gauges 182(FIG. 1 or FIG. 13) may be incorporated into the fluid line connected toaft balloon 20, and/or the fluid line connected to fore balloon 35,whereby to provide the physician (or other operator or user) withinformation relating to the pressure inside aft balloon 20 and/or foreballoon 35 so as to avoid over inflation and/or to help the physician(or other operator or user) ascertain the inflation state of a balloonduring a procedure.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that as fore balloon 35 movesbetween its “retracted” position (FIG. 2) and its “extended” position(FIG. 4), the flexible tube 59 connecting push tubes 30 to base 25 (andhence to fitting 56) may gather about base 25, potentially interferingwith the physician's (or other operator's or user's) actions.Accordingly, if desired, and looking now at FIG. 15, a flexible tuberetraction system 185 may be provided (e.g., within base 25) to take upslack in flexible tube 59 when fore balloon 35 is extended.

Preferred Method of Using the Novel Apparatus

Apparatus 5 may be used to manipulate, (e.g., stabilize, straighten,expand and/or flatten, etc.) the side wall of a body lumen and/or bodycavity so as to better present the side wall tissue (includingvisualization of areas initially hidden or outside the field of view)for examination and/or treatment during an endoscopic procedure usingendoscope 10, and/or to stabilize the distal tips and/or working ends ofinstruments (e.g., graspers, cutters or dissectors, cauterizing tools,ultrasound probes, etc.), e.g., advanced into the therapeutic zone.

More particularly, in use, sleeve 15 is first mounted to endoscope 10(FIG. 1). This may be accomplished by pulling base 25 proximally overthe distal end of endoscope 10 and then pulling proximally along thelength of endoscope 10 until the distal end of sleeve 15 issubstantially aligned with the distal tip of endoscope 10. At thispoint, aft balloon 20 is deflated, fore balloon 35 is deflated, and foreballoon 35 is docked over the distal end of endoscope 10. Endoscope 10and apparatus 5 are ready to be inserted as a unit into the patient.

Looking next at FIG. 16, endoscope 10 and apparatus 5 are inserted as aunit into a body lumen and/or body cavity of the patient. By way ofexample but not limitation, endoscope 10 and apparatus 5 are inserted asa unit into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the patient. Endoscope 10and apparatus 5 are advanced along the body lumen and/or body cavity toa desired location within the patient (FIGS. 17 and 18).

When apparatus 5 is to be used (e.g., to manipulate the side wall of thegastrointestinal tract so as to provide increased visualization of thesame and/or increase access to the same, and/or for stabilizinginstruments relative to the same), aft balloon 20 is inflated so as tostabilize apparatus 5 (and hence endoscope 10) within the body lumenand/or body cavity. See FIG. 19. This may be done using theaforementioned associated inflation mechanism 40.

In this respect it will be appreciated that inasmuch as the articulatingportion of the endoscope resides distal to aft balloon 20, the endoscopewill be able to articulate distal to aft balloon 20 so as to facilitatevisualization of the anatomy even after aft balloon 20 is inflated.Significantly, such visualization is enhanced, inasmuch as aft balloon20 stabilizes endoscope 10 within the gastrointestinal tract anddistends the colon and increases the colon to a fixed diameter directlyadjacent to aft balloon 20.

Next, push tubes 30 are advanced distally in the body lumen and/or bodycavity (i.e., so as to move fore balloon 35 further ahead of aft balloon20) by pushing distally on push tube handle 37. Thus, push tubes 30, andhence fore balloon 35, move distally relative to endoscope 10 (which isstabilized in position within the gastrointestinal tract by the inflatedaft balloon 20). Note that the deflated fore balloon 35 covers thedistal ends of push tubes 30 during such distal advancement of foreballoon 35, thereby ensuring atraumatic advancement of fore balloon 35.Note that atraumatic advancement of fore balloon 35 may be furtherenhanced by forming the distal ends of push tubes 30 out of a moreresilient material.

When push tubes 30 have advanced fore balloon 35 to the desired positiondistal to endoscope 10, fore balloon 35 is inflated (FIG. 20) so as tosecure fore balloon 35 to the anatomy. Again, this may be done using theaforementioned associated inflation mechanism 40. As fore balloon 35 isinflated, the inflated fore balloon 35, the inflated aft balloon 20, andpush tubes 30 will all complement one another so as to stabilize,straighten, expand and/or flatten the side wall of the body lumen and/orbody cavity so as to better present the side wall tissue (includingvisualization of areas initially hidden or outside the field of view)for examination and/or treatment during an endoscopic procedure usingendoscope 10. In this respect it will be appreciated that the inflatedfore balloon 35 and the inflated aft balloon 20 will together expand andtension the side wall of the body lumen and/or body cavity, and pushtubes 30 will tend to straighten the anatomy between the two inflatedballoons when the fore balloon is extended distally from the aftballoon. In this respect it will also be appreciated that once aftballoon 20 and fore balloon 35 have both been inflated, fore balloon 35will create a substantially full-diameter seal across the body lumenand/or body cavity (because the inflated fore balloon closes down theaxial opening 63 extending through the fore balloon when the foreballoon is in its deflated state), and aft balloon 20 will cooperatewith sleeve 15 and endoscope 10 to create another substantiallyfull-diameter barrier across the body lumen and/or body cavity. Thus,the inflated fore balloon 35 and the inflated aft balloon 20 willtogether define a substantially closed region along the body lumenand/or body cavity (i.e., an isolated therapeutic zone which preventsthe passage of fluid and/or other liquids by virtue of the air-tightseals established by the inflated fore balloon 35 and aft balloon 20).The side wall of the body lumen and/or body cavity will be tensioned byinflation of fore balloon 35 and aft balloon 20, whereby to betterpresent the side wall of the body lumen and/or body cavity for viewingthrough endoscope 10.

It should be appreciated that the expansion and tensioning of the sidewall of the body lumen and/or body cavity effected by the inflated foreballoon 35, the inflated aft balloon 20, and push tubes 30, can befurther enhanced by advancing the fore balloon when it is inflated andgripping the side wall of the body lumen and/or body cavity, whereby totension the side wall of the body lumen and/or body cavity.

Significantly, inasmuch as the inflated fore balloon 35 and the inflatedaft balloon 20 together define a substantially closed region along thebody lumen and/or body cavity (i.e., an isolated therapeutic zone), thisregion can then be inflated (FIG. 21) with a fluid (e.g., air, CO₂,etc.) so as to further tension the side wall of the body lumen and/orbody cavity, whereby to better present the side wall of the body lumenand/or body cavity for viewing through endoscope 10 and stabilize theside wall so as to facilitate more precise therapeutic interventions. Ifdesired, fore balloon 35 can be retracted toward aft balloon 20 (i.e.,by pulling push tube handle 37 proximally), while remaining inflated(and hence maintaining a grip on the side wall of the body lumen and/orbody cavity), so as to move the visible mucosa and further improvevisualization and access (see FIG. 22), e.g., so as to position aparticular target area on the side wall of the body lumen and/or bodycavity at a convenient angle relative to the endoscope and endoscopictools.

Alternatively, if desired, once aft balloon 35 has been inflated, pushtubes 30 may be advanced distally a portion—but only a portion—of theirfull distal stroke, then fore balloon 35 may be inflated so as to gripthe side wall of the body lumen and/or body cavity, and then push tubes30 may be further advanced distally. This action will cause flexiblepush tubes 30 to bow outwardly (see FIGS. 22A-22D), contacting the sidewall of the body lumen and/or body cavity and pushing the side wall ofthe body lumen and/or body cavity outwardly, e.g., in a “tenting”fashion, whereby to further enhance visualization of the side wall ofthe body lumen and/or body cavity by endoscope 10.

If desired, instruments 190 (FIG. 23) may be advanced through workingchannels of endoscope 10 so as to biopsy and/or treat pathologicconditions (e.g., excise pathological anatomy). It will be appreciatedthat such instruments will extend through the distal end of theendoscope, which is effectively stabilized relative to the anatomy viaaft balloon 20, so that the working ends of instruments 190 will also behighly stabilized relative to the anatomy. This is a significantadvantage over the prior art practice of advancing instruments out ofthe non-stabilized end of an endoscope. Preferably instruments 190include articulating instruments having a full range of motion, wherebyto better access target anatomy.

Furthermore, if bleeding were to obscure a tissue site, or if bleedingwere to occur and the surgeon is unable to identify the source of thebleeding, the isolated therapeutic zone permits rapid flushing of theanatomic segment in which the therapeutic zone lies (e.g., with a liquidsuch as saline) with rapid subsequent removal of the flushing liquid(see FIGS. 24-26).

Also, if desired, fore balloon 35 can be directed with high precision toa bleeding site, whereupon fore balloon 35 may be used (e.g., inflated)to apply local pressure to the bleeding site in order to enhancebleeding control (see FIG. 27). This can be done under the visualizationprovided by endoscope 10.

If it is desired to reposition endoscope 10 within the anatomy withminimal interference from apparatus 5, fore balloon 35 is returned toits torus configuration (i.e., partially deflated), the fore balloon isretracted proximally and “re-docked” on the distal end of endoscope 10,aft balloon 20 is deflated, and then endoscope 10 (with apparatus 5carried thereon) is repositioned within the anatomy. Note that wherefore balloon 35 is to be re-docked on the distal end of endoscope 10,fore balloon 35 is preferably only partially deflated until fore balloon35 is re-docked on the distal end of the endoscope, since partialinflation of fore balloon 35 can leave fore balloon 35 with enough“body” to facilitate the re-docking process. Thereafter, fore balloon 35may be fully deflated if desired, e.g., so as to positively grip thedistal end of endoscope 10.

Alternatively, if desired, fore balloon 35 may be used as a drag braketo control retrograde motion of the endoscope. More particularly, inthis form of the invention, endoscope 10 and apparatus 5 are firstadvanced as a unit into the body lumen and/or body cavity until the tipof the endoscope is at the proper location. Next, aft balloon 20 isinflated, push tubes 30 are advanced distally, and then fore balloon 35is inflated (FIG. 28). Visualization and, optionally, therapeutictreatment may then be effected at that location. When the apparatus isto be moved retrograde, aft balloon 20 is deflated, fore balloon 35 ispartially deflated, and then the endoscope is withdrawn proximally,dragging the semi-inflated fore balloon 35 along the body lumen and/orbody cavity (FIG. 29), with fore balloon 35 acting as something of abrake as the endoscope is pulled proximally, thereby enabling morecontrolled retrograde movement of the endoscope and hence bettervisualization of the anatomy. If at some point it is desired, aftballoon 20 and fore balloon 35 can be re-inflated, as shown in FIG. 30,with or without introduction of a fluid into the “isolated therapeuticzone” established between the two balloons, so as to stabilize,straighten, expand and/or flatten the anatomy.

It is also possible to use aft balloon 20 as a brake when withdrawingthe endoscope (and hence apparatus 5) from the anatomy, either alone orin combination with the aforementioned braking action from fore balloon35.

At the conclusion of the procedure, endoscope 10 and apparatus 5 arewithdrawn from the anatomy. Preferably this is done by deflating (orpartially deflating) fore balloon 35, retracting push tubes 30 so thatfore balloon 35 is “re-docked” onto the distal end of endoscope 10,fully deflating fore balloon 35 so that it grips the distal end of theendoscope, deflating aft balloon 20 (if it is not yet deflated), andthen withdrawing endoscope 10 and apparatus 5 as a unit from theanatomy.

It should be appreciated that apparatus 5 may also be usedadvantageously in various ways other than those disclosed above. By wayof example but not limitation, when endoscope 10 (and apparatus 5) is tobe advanced within the colon, it may be desirable to first project foreballoon 35 distally under visual guidance of the endoscope so that foreballoon 35 leads the distal end of the endoscope. As a result, when theendoscope is advanced distally, with fore balloon 35 being deflated (orpartially deflated), the fore balloon and flexible push tubes 30 may actas an atraumatic lead (guiding structure) for the endoscope as theendoscope advances through the colon. Significantly, inasmuch as thedistal ends of push tubes 30 are preferably highly flexible, as theadvancing fore balloon 35 encounters the colon wall (e.g., at a turn ofthe colon), the flexible push tubes can deflect so that the fore balloontracks the path of the colon, thereby aiding atraumatic advancement ofthe endoscope along the colon. It should also be appreciated thatapparatus 5 may also be used advantageously in other ways to facilitatefurther examinations of the luminal surface otherwise difficult to beperformed currently. Such an example is endoscopic ultrasoundexamination of the lumen which would be facilitated by the fluid-filledinflated fore balloon and ultrasound probe examination.

Additional Constructions

If desired, apparatus 5 may be constructed so that push tubes 30 may beadvanced or retracted independently of one another, as well as inconjunction with one another—such independent advancement or retractionof push tubes 30 can aid in steering the partially- or fully-deflatedfore balloon 35 through the body lumen and/or body cavity, whereby tofacilitate advancement or retraction of endoscope 10 through the bodylumen and/or body cavity, and/or such independent advancement orretraction of push tubes 30 can facilitate applying a “turning force” tothe anatomy with an inflated fore balloon 35, whereby to better presentthe anatomy for visualization and/or treatment.

By way of example but not limitation, in this form of the invention, andlooking now at FIG. 30A, push tubes 30 are each independently slidablymounted to push tube handle 37 so that push tubes 30 can moveindependently of push tube handle 37 and each other. Stops 191 limitdistal movement of push tubes 30 relative to push tube handle 37 so thata push tube cannot be moved completely out of push tube handle 37. As aresult of this construction, when fore balloon 35 is to be moveddistally, push tubes 30 are moved distally, either together orindependently of one another. And when fore balloon 35 is to be movedproximally, push tubes 30 are moved proximally, either together orindependently of one another. At any point in a procedure, push tubes 30can be moved independently of one another so as to “turn” the foreballoon, e.g., such as when fore balloon 35 is inflated and engaging theanatomy, whereby to apply a “turning force” to the anatomy, or wherefore balloon 35 is partially inflated and is being used as an atraumatictip for the advancing assembly, whereby to help “steer” the assemblythrough the anatomy. Note that it may be desirable to provide a limitingmechanism to limit the extent to which push rods 30 may be moved,longitudinally, independently of one another, in order to preventexcessive turning of fore balloon 35, and/or push rod cross-over, and/orpush rod entanglement, and/or push rod misalignment, etc. Note also thatpush tubes 30 may be held in a particular disposition by mounting pushtubes 30 in the aforementioned clamp 53 (FIGS. 12 and 15).

It should also be appreciated that it is possible to modify theconstruction of sleeve 15 so as to support instruments (or hollowinstrument guide tubes) external to endoscope 10. More particularly,looking again at FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be seen that in the constructionshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, sleeve 15 comprises a lumen 47 for receivinginflation/deflation tube 45 for inflating/deflating aft balloon 20, anda pair of lumens 52 for receiving support tubes 50 which receive pushtubes 30 for manipulating and inflating/deflating fore balloon 35.However, if desired, sleeve 15 may include additional lumens forsupporting instruments (or hollow instrument guide tubes) external toendoscope 10.

More particularly, and looking now at FIG. 31, there is shown an endview of another form of sleeve 15 which includes a plurality of lumens195 for slidably receiving instruments 190 therein. Note that, wheninflated, aft balloon 20 provides a secure platform for maintainingendoscope 10 and sleeve 15 within a body lumen or body cavity, withendoscope 10 and sleeve 15 centered within the body lumen or bodycavity. As a result, the distal ends of lumens 195 of sleeve 15 willalso be securely maintained within the body lumen or body cavity so asto provide a secure support for instruments advanced through lumens 195of sleeve 15.

The proximal ends of lumens 195 may extend to, and through, base 25, inwhich case instruments may be inserted into lumens 195 at base 25, orthe proximal ends of lumens 195 may terminate proximal to base 25 (butstill outside the body of the patient), in which case instruments may beinserted into lumens 195 intermediate sleeve 15. By way of example butnot limitation, where endoscope 10 is 180 cm in length and instruments190 are 60 cm in length, it can be advantageous to insert instruments190 into lumens 195 at a point closer to balloons 20, 35 (rather than atbase 25). Note that in FIG. 31, the lumen 47 for receivinginflation/deflation tube 45 and inflation/deflation tube 45 forinflating/deflating aft balloon 20 are not visible, since the view isdistal-facing and is taken at a location distal to where lumen 47 andinflation/deflation tube 45 terminate on sleeve 15.

FIGS. 32-35 show various instruments 190 extending out of lumens 195.Note that instruments 190 preferably comprise articulating instruments,e.g., graspers 190A in FIGS. 32-35, a cauterizing device 190B in FIGS.32-33, scissors 190C in FIGS. 34 and 35, and a suction device 190D inFIGS. 32-35.

It should be appreciated that where sleeve 15 comprises its centralpassageway for receiving endoscope 10, lumen 47 for receivinginflation/deflation tube 45, lumens 52 for receiving support tubes 50which receive push tubes 30, and/or lumens 195 for slidably receivinginstruments 190 therein, sleeve 15 is preferably formed by an extrusionprocess.

In one preferred form of the invention, lumen 47 for receivinginflation/deflation tube 45, lumens 52 for receiving support tubes 50which receive push tubes 30, and/or lumens 195 for slidably receivinginstruments 190 may have a fixed configuration (i.e., a fixed diameter),so that sleeve 15 has a fixed outer profile.

In another preferred form of the invention, lumen 47 for receivinginflation/deflation tube 45, lumens 52 for receiving support tubes 50which receive push tubes 30, and/or lumens 195 for slidably receivinginstruments 190 may have an expandable configuration (i.e., they mayhave a minimal profile when empty and expand diametrically as neededwhen filled), so that the overall profile of sleeve 15 is minimized.

It should also be appreciated that where sleeve 15 comprises a pluralityof lumens 195 for slidably receiving instruments 190 therein, it can bedesirable to provide greater structural integrity to the distal ends oflumens 195 so as to provide improved support for the instruments 190received within lumens 195. To this end, a support ring may be providedat the distal end of sleeve 15, wherein the support ring providesopenings for the passage of push tubes 30 and openings for the passageof instruments 190. Note that the openings in such a support ring forthe passage of instruments 190 preferably make a close fit with theinstruments so as to provide excellent instrument support at the distalend of sleeve 15.

Alternatively and/or additionally, lumens 195 may accommodate hollowinstrument guide tubes which themselves accommodate instruments therein.Such hollow instrument guide tubes can provide greater structuralintegrity to the distal ends of lumens 195 so as to provide improvedsupport for the instruments 190 received within lumens 195. And suchhollow instrument guide tubes may be of fixed geometry or of bendable orarticulating geometry. See, for example, FIG. 36, which shows hollowinstrument guide tubes 200 extending out of lumens 195 and receivinginstruments 190 therein. Note that hollow instrument guide tubes 200 maybe independently movable relative to one another (and independentlymovable relative to sleeve 15). Note also that instruments 190preferably make a close fit with hollow instrument guide tubes 200 so asto provide excellent instrument support at the distal end of sleeve 15.

It should also be appreciated that, if desired, the two push tubes 30may be replaced by a single push tube 30 or by more than two push tubes30, e.g., by three push tubes 30. It will be appreciated that, where aplurality of push tubes 30 are provided, it will generally be desirableto equally-circumferentially-space the push tubes from one another,e.g., where two push tubes 30 are provided, it is generally desirablethat the two push tubes 30 be spaced 180 degrees apart, where three pushtubes 30 are provided, it is generally desirable that the push tubes bespaced 120 degrees apart, etc.

Applications

Thus it will be seen that the present invention comprises the provisionand use of novel apparatus for manipulating the side wall of a bodylumen and/or body cavity so as to better present the side wall tissue(including visualization of areas initially hidden or outside the fieldof view) for examination and/or treatment during an endoscopicprocedure, e.g., to straighten bends, “iron out” inner luminal surfacefolds and create a substantially static or stable side wall of the bodylumen and/or body cavity which enables more precise visual examination(including visualization of areas initially hidden or outside the fieldof view) and/or therapeutic intervention. By way of example but notlimitation, the novel apparatus can be used to stabilize, straighten,expand and/or flatten bends and/or curves and/or folds in the side wallof the intestine so as to better present the side wall tissue (includingvisualization of areas initially hidden or outside the field of view)for examination and/or treatment during an endoscopic procedure.

The present invention also comprises the provision and use of novelapparatus capable of steadying and/or stabilizing the distal tips and/orworking ends of instruments (e.g., endoscopes, articulating and/ornon-articulating devices such as graspers, cutters or dissectors,cauterizing tools, ultrasound probes, etc.) inserted into a body lumenand/or body cavity during an endoscopic procedure with respect to theside wall of the body lumen and/or body cavity, whereby to facilitatethe precision use of those instruments.

By way of example but not limitation, the present apparatus can providea stable platform (i.e., a stable endoscope, stable therapeutic toolsand a stable colon wall, all stable with respect to one another) for theperformance of numerous minimally-invasive procedures within a bodylumen and/or body cavity, including the stabilization of an endoscopeand/or other surgical instruments (e.g., graspers, cutters ordissectors, cauterizing tools, ultrasound probes, etc.) within the bodylumen and/or body cavity, e.g., during a lesion biopsy and/or lesionremoval procedure, an organ resection procedure, endoscopic submucosaldissection (ESD), endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), etc., while at thesame time stabilizing the colon (including decreasing deformation of thecolon wall) so as to enable more precise visualization, interventionand/or surgery.

Significantly, the present invention provides novel apparatus capable ofsteadying and/or stabilizing the distal tips and/or working ends ofendoscopes (and hence also steadying and/or stabilizing the distal tipsand/or working ends of other instruments inserted through the workingchannels of those endoscopes, such as graspers, cutters or dissectors,cauterizing tools, ultrasound probes, etc.) with respect to the sidewall of the body lumen and/or body cavity, and stabilizing the side wallof the body lumen and/or body cavity relative to these instruments.

And the present invention provides novel apparatus capable of steadyingand/or stabilizing the distal tips and/or working ends of instruments(such as graspers, cutters or dissectors, cauterizing tools, ultrasoundprobes, etc.) advanced to the surgical site by means other than throughthe working channels of endoscopes.

The novel apparatus of the present invention can be used insubstantially any endoscopic procedure to facilitate the alignment andpresentation of tissue during an endoscopic procedure and/or tostabilize the working end of an endoscope (and/or other instrumentsadvanced through the endoscope) relative to tissue or to assist in theadvancement of the endoscope during such a procedure.

The present invention is believed to have widest applications withrespect to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (e.g., large and smallintestines, esophagus, stomach, etc.), which is generally characterizedby frequent turns and which has a side wall characterized by numerousfolds and disease processes located on and between these folds. However,the methods and apparatus of the present invention may also be usedinside other body lumens (e.g., blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, theurinary tract, fallopian tubes, bronchi, bile ducts, etc.) and/or insideother body cavities (e.g., the head, chest, abdomen, nasal sinuses,bladder, cavities within organs, etc.).

Methods and Apparatus for Inverting a Hollow Sleeve and ThereafterReverting an Inverted Hollow Sleeve

As can be seen in FIGS. 1-36 above, apparatus 5 is provided forsteadying and/or stabilizing the distal tips and/or working ends ofendoscopes (and hence also steadying and/or stabilizing the distal tipsand/or working ends of other instruments inserted through the workingchannels of those endoscopes, such as graspers, cutters or dissectors,cauterizing tools, ultrasound probes, etc.) with respect to the sidewall of the body lumen and/or body cavity, and stabilizing the side wallof the body lumen and/or body cavity relative to these instruments.

Apparatus 5 generally comprises a sleeve 15 adapted to be slid over theexterior of the shaft of endoscope 10, a proximal (or “aft”) balloon 20secured to sleeve 15 near the distal end of the sleeve, and a base 25secured to sleeve 15 at the proximal end of the sleeve. Apparatus 5 alsocomprises a pair of push tubes 30 slidably mounted to sleeve 15, and adistal (or “fore”) balloon 35 secured to the distal ends of push tubes30, such that the spacing between aft balloon 20 and fore balloon 35 canbe adjusted by the physician (or other operator or user) by moving pushtubes 30 relative to sleeve 15 (e.g., by advancing the two push tubessimultaneously at push tube handle 37, see below).

As can be seen in FIGS. 1-6, sleeve 15 generally comprises an elongated,thin-walled tube configured to be slid over the exterior of the shaft ofendoscope 10 (e.g., retrograde from the distal tip of the endoscope) soas to make a close fit therewith, with the sleeve being sized andconstructed so that it will slide easily back over the endoscope duringmounting thereon (preferably with the scope “dry”) but will havesufficient residual friction (when gripped by the hand of the physicianor other operator or user) with the outer surface of the endoscope suchthat the sleeve will remain in place to allow torqueing (i.e.,rotational turning) and pushing/pulling of the endoscope during use(e.g., within the colon of a patient).

As also stated above, sleeve 15 may include a lubricious coating (e.g.,a liquid such as perfluoropolyether synthetic oil, a powder, ahydrophilic coating, etc.) on some or all of its interior and/orexterior surfaces, so as to facilitate disposition of the sleeve overthe endoscope and/or movement of apparatus 5 through a body lumen and/orbody cavity.

Some types of coatings (e.g., hydrophilic coatings) require ultraviolet(UV) light to cure the coating to the interior and/or exterior surfaceof the sleeve. However, when certain hydrophilic coatings are applied tothe interior surface of sleeve 15, the UV light cannot penetrate throughthe sleeve material, and the hydrophilic coating does not properly cureon the interior surface of the sleeve, thereby preventing thehydrophilic coating from properly bonding to the interior of sleeve 15.Failure of the hydrophilic coating to properly bond to the interior ofsleeve 15 could result in the dislodging of the hydrophilic coating whenan endoscope is advanced through sleeve 15, thereby making it moredifficult for the endoscope to be advanced through the sleeve.

The present invention comprises the provision and use of a novelapparatus and method for inverting sleeve 15 so that a hydrophiliccoating can be applied to the interior of the sleeve, and a novelapparatus and method for reverting sleeve 15 after the hydrophiliccoating has been applied to the interior of sleeve 15 and allowed tocure on the interior of sleeve 15.

Inversion Fixture for Inverting Sleeve 15 and Support Tubes 50

Looking now at FIGS. 37-41, there is shown a novel inversion fixture 500for inverting sleeve 15 and support tubes 50 (i.e., the tubes whichreceive push tubes 30 of sleeve 15) (FIG. 42).

Inversion fixture 500 generally comprises a hollow tube 505 having aproximal end 510 and a distal end 515, and a clamping rod 520 configuredto move within hollow tube 505 so that when sleeve 15 is disposed overhollow tube, proximal movement of clamping rod 520 will clamp distal end17 of sleeve 15 to distal end 515 of hollow tube, as will be discussedin further detail below, so that sleeve 15 can thereafter be pulleddistally over hollow tube 505 to invert sleeve 15.

More particularly, clamping rod 520 comprises a proximal end 525 and adistal end 530, with the proximal end of clamping rod 520 beingconnected to a first clamp 535 (e.g., a push/pull toggle clamp), and thedistal end of clamping rod 520 comprising a sleeve plug 540. A pair offlexible mandrels 545 (FIG. 44) extend from distal end 530 of clampingrod 520, through each support tube 50, and freely out of the proximalends of support tubes 50, for maintaining the geometry of the lumen ofthe support tube, thus preventing excessive eccentricity, kinking andother deformations from occurring during the inversion process, whichcould compromise the final function of support tube 50. When actuated,first clamp 535 is configured to pull clamping rod 520 proximally,whereby to pull sleeve plug 540 of clamping rod 520 into distal end 515of hollow tube 505 so that when sleeve 15 is disposed over hollow tube505, sleeve plug 540 will be pulled proximally into distal end 515 ofhollow tube 505, whereby to clamp distal end 17 of sleeve 15 to distalend 515 of hollow tube 505. Preferably, when hollow tube 505 is pulledproximally, flexible mandrels 545 are also pulled proximally so as totension flexible mandrels 545.

In a preferred form of the present invention, a second clamp 550 isprovided for clamping sleeve 15 to hollow tube 505 adjacent to proximalend 510 of hollow tube 505, and a third clamp 555 (e.g., a toggle clamp)is provided for clamping sleeve 15 to hollow tube 505 intermediate thelength of hollow tube 505. Preferably, a plurality of spacers 560 areprovided along the length of clamping rod 520 for centering clamping rod520 within hollow tube 505.

If desired, and looking now at FIG. 41A, an inflation line 562 may beprovided for injecting air into proximal end 16 of sleeve 15 so that theair flows in between the sleeve 15 and the outer surface of hollow tube505, whereby to facilitate inverting sleeve 15.

Looking now at FIGS. 42-66, inversion fixture 500 may be used as followsto invert sleeve 15 and support tubes 50.

Sleeve 15 is passed over hollow tube 505 until proximal end 16 of sleeve15 is disposed adjacent to second clamp 550 (FIG. 43) and distal end 17of sleeve is disposed approximately 1 inch beyond distal end 515 ofhollow tube 505 (FIG. 44). At this time, sleeve 15 is resting on supportblock 565 of third clamp 555, with each of support tubes 50 disposed oneither side of sleeve 15, and with inflation/deflation tube 45 disposedbelow support tube 50, in the manner shown in FIG. 45. Lever 570 ofthird clamp 555 is then maneuvered so as to clamp down on sleeve 15(FIGS. 46 and 47).

Flexible mandrels 545 are then passed through support tubes 50 untilflexible mandrels 545 extend from distal end 530 of clamping rod 520 toproximal end 525 of clamping rod 520, where flexible mandrels 545 can beconnected to first clamp 535 (FIGS. 48-51). If desired, flexiblemandrels 545 may pass through a hole 531 in distal end 530 of clampingrod 520 (FIG. 50).

In one preferred form of the invention, and looking now at FIG. 50A, aflexible mandrel handling fixture 564 may be used to pull flexiblemandrels 545 through support tubes 50.

Once flexible mandrels 545 have been passed through support lumens 50,the operator pulls (i) flexible mandrels 545 proximally to tensionflexible mandrels 545, and (ii) lever 575 of first clamp 535 proximallyto move sleeve plug 540 proximally. Flexible mandrels 545 and lever 575of first clamp 535 are pulled proximally until sleeve plug 540 anddistal end 17 of sleeve 15 are pulled into distal end 515 of hollow tube505, whereby to clamp distal end 17 of sleeve 15 to distal end 515 ofhollow tube 505 (FIGS. 52-56).

After distal end 17 of sleeve 15 has been clamped to distal end 515 ofhollow tube 505, lever 570 of third clamp 555 is lifted up to open thirdclamp 555 and unclamp sleeve 15 from hollow tube 505 (FIGS. 57 and 58).

The operator now stands adjacent to the clamped distal end 17 of sleeve15, holds onto support tubes 50 and proximally pulls support tubes 50and sleeve 15 so as to move sleeve 15 distally, i.e., in the directionof arrow 580 (FIG. 59). The operator continues to pull support tubes 50and sleeve 15 until sleeve 15 has been entirely pulled over, and off of,hollow tube 505, thereby inverting sleeve 15 (FIGS. 60 and 61).

Lever 575 of first clamp 535 is then pushed distally to move sleeve plug540 distally, whereby to release distal end 17 of sleeve 15 from distalend 515 of hollow tube 505 (FIGS. 62-65).

If desired, distal end 17 of sleeve 15 can be trimmed to remove the partof sleeve 15 that was clamped between hollow tube 505 and sleeve plug540 (FIG. 66).

The interior of sleeve 15 can then be coated with a hydrophilic coatingand cured with UV light.

Reversion Fixture for Reverting Inverted Sleeve 15 and Support Tubes 50

Looking now at FIGS. 67-70, there is shown a novel reversion fixture 700for reverting inverted sleeve 15 and support tubes 50 (i.e., the tubeswhich receive push tubes 30 of sleeve 15)).

Reversion fixture 700 generally comprises a hollow tube 705 having aproximal end 710 and a distal end 715, and a clamping rod 720 configuredto move within hollow tube 705 so that when inverted sleeve 15 isdisposed over hollow tube 705, proximal movement of clamping rod 720will clamp distal end 17 of inverted sleeve 15 to distal end 715 ofhollow tube 705, as will be discussed in further detail below, so thatinverted sleeve 15 can thereafter be pulled distally over hollow tube705 to revert inverted sleeve 15.

More particularly, clamping rod 720 comprises a proximal end 725 and adistal end 730, with the proximal end of clamping rod 720 beingconnected to a first clamp 735 (e.g., a push/pull toggle clamp), and thedistal end of clamping rod 720 comprising an expansion plug 740, whichis used in combination with a holding collar 742, for clamping distalend 17 of inverted sleeve 15 to distal end 715 of hollow tube 705. Moreparticularly, expansion plug 740 is configured to be expanded, so thatwhen inverted sleeve 15 is disposed over hollow tube 705, and holdingcollar 742 is disposed over distal end 17 of inverted sleeve 15, distalend 17 of inverted sleeve 15 will be clamped between the expandedexpansion plug 740 and holding collar 742, whereby to clamp distal end17 of inverted sleeve 15 to distal end 730 of clamping rod 720.Preferably, expansion plug comprises a first portion 743 and a secondportion 744, with flexible mandrels 745 being attached to second portion744 so that when flexible mandrels 745 are pulled proximally (and/orclamping rod 720 is pulled proximally), second portion 744 is pulledproximally into first portion 743, thereby expanding the diameter ofexpansion plug 740.

In a preferred form of the present invention, a second clamp 750 (e.g.,a T-slotted framing clamp) is provided for supporting hollow tube 505adjacent to proximal end 510 of hollow tube 505, and a support bracket755 is provided for supporting hollow tube 705 and inverted sleeve 15intermediate the length of hollow tube 705.

In a preferred form of the present invention, a handle 785 is providedfor moving inverted sleeve 15 distally along hollow tube 705, as will bediscussed in further detail below.

Looking now at FIGS. 71-82, reversion fixture 700 may be used as followsto revert inverted sleeve 15 and support tubes 50.

Inverted sleeve 15 is passed over hollow tube 705 until proximal end 16of inverted sleeve 15 is disposed adjacent to second clamp 750 anddistal end 17 of inverted sleeve is disposed proximal to distal end 730of clamping rod 720. At this time, inverted sleeve 15 may be supportedby support bracket 755.

Flexible mandrels 745 are then passed through support tubes 50 (FIG. 72)until flexible mandrels 745 extend from distal end 730 of clamping rod720 to proximal end 16 of the inverted sleeve 15 (with or without usingflexible mandrel handling fixture 564 to pull flexible mandrels 545through support tubes 50). If desired, flexible mandrels 745 may passthrough a hole 731 in distal end 730 of clamping rod 720 (FIG. 68).

Inverted sleeve 15 is now positioned so that distal end 17 of invertedsleeve 15 extends distally of expansion plug 740 and holding collar 742is placed into position over distal end 17 of inverted sleeve 15 so thatholding collar 742 is disposed over inverted sleeve 15 and expansionplug 740 (FIG. 74).

The operator now pulls (i) flexible mandrels 745 proximally (and/orclamping rod 720 proximally) to move second portion 744 of expansionplug 740 proximally, whereby to expand expansion plug 740 and create aninterference fit between expansion plug 740, distal end 17 of invertedsleeve 15 and holding collar 742, thereby clamping distal end 17 ofinverted sleeve 15 to clamping rod 720, and (ii) lever 775 of firstclamp 735 proximally (FIG. 75) to move clamping rod proximally untilexpansion plug 740 and the clamped distal end 17 of sleeve 15 are pulledinto distal end 715 of hollow tube 705. In this way, distal end 17 ofinverted sleeve 15 is now clamped to distal end 715 of hollow tube 705.

Handle 785 is now moved proximally over inverted sleeve 15 from distalend 17 of inverted sleeve 15 to proximal end 16 of inverted sleeve 15(FIG. 76), and proximal end 16 of inverted sleeve 15 is mounted tohandle 785 (FIGS. 77 and 78).

Once distal end 17 of inverted sleeve 15 has been clamped to distal end715 of hollow tube 705, and proximal end 16 of inverted sleeve has beenmounted to handle 785, handle 785 is moved distally along the length ofinverted sleeve 15. Since proximal end 16 of inverted sleeve 15 isconnected to handle 785, distal movement of handle 785 pulls invertedsleeve 15 towards distal end 17 of inverted sleeve 15, thereby revertingsleeve 15.

Preferably, air may be pumped into handle 785 so that the air flows inbetween the two layers of sleeve 15 to prevent sleeve 15 from bucklingas the sleeve is being reverted, or to straighten sleeve 15 if sleeve 15has buckled during the reversion process, as shown in FIG. 79.

Once handle 785 has passed over holding collar 742, handle 785 can beremoved from proximal end 16 of sleeve 15, and sleeve 15 can be pulledto entirely revert sleeve 15.

After sleeve 15 has been entirely reverted, lever 775 of first clamp 735is then pushed distally to move second portion 744 of expansion plug 740distally, whereby to reduce the diameter of expansion plug 740 so thatholding collar 742 can be removed from sleeve 15, thereby releasingdistal end 17 of sleeve 15 from distal end 715 of hollow tube 705 (FIG.81).

If desired, distal end 17 of sleeve 15 can be trimmed to remove the partof sleeve 15 that was clamped between expansion plug 740 and holdingcollar 742 (FIG. 82).

Alternative Clamp for Mounting Distal End of Sleeve 15 to Hollow Tube505

As discussed above, novel inversion fixture 500 may be used to invertsleeve 15 and support tubes 50 (i.e., the tubes which receive push tubes30 of sleeve 15) (FIG. 42). To that end, and as discussed above, distalend 530 of clamping rod 520 may comprise a sleeve plug 540 forselectively clamping the distal end of sleeve 15 to hollow tube 505.With the aforementioned sleeve plug 540, proximal movement of sleeveplug 540 (i.e., by moving clamping rod 520 proximally), causes sleeveplug 540 to move into distal end 515 of hollow tube 505, whereby toclamp distal end 17 of sleeve 15 to hollow tube 505 (i.e., by virtue ofthe interference fit between distal end 17 of sleeve 15 and the innersurface of the sidewall of hollow tube 505).

However, it should be appreciated that, if desired, an alternativeclamping apparatus may be used which can create a more robust clampingof the distal end 17 of sleeve 15 to hollow tube 505.

More particularly, and looking now at FIGS. 83-96, there is shown analternative inversion fixture 500A having an alternative sleeve plug540A which is configured to be moved between a distal position (FIGS. 84and 85) and a proximal position (FIGS. 86 and 87) to clamp distal end 17of sleeve 15 to distal end 515 of hollow tube 505.

Sleeve plug 540A comprises a generally cylindrical side wall 541 formedout of a resilient, flexible material. Sleeve plug 540 is mounted todistal end 530 of clamping rod 520 such that cylindrical side wall 541extends proximally therefrom and encloses a cavity 542 sized to have adiameter that is slightly smaller than, or generally equal to, the innerdiameter of hollow tube 505. Cylindrical side wall 541 preferablycomprises at least two diametrically-opposed slots 543 which permitcylindrical side wall 541 to flex (i.e., contract circumferentially) soas to pass into, and make an interference fit with, the inner surface ofdistal end 515 of hollow tube 505. As a result of this construction, andas will hereinafter be discussed in further detail, when a portion(i.e., the distalmost portion) of distal end 17 of sleeve 15 is disposedwithin cavity 542 of sleeve plug 540A (FIGS. 89 and 90), sleeve plug540A may be selectively moved proximally, whereby to capture a portion(i.e., a portion proximal to the distalmost portion) of distal end 17 ofsleeve 15 between the inner surface of hollow tube 505, and the innersurface of cylindrical side wall 541 of sleeve plug 540A (FIG. 91).

In use, and looking now at FIGS. 89 and 90, sleeve 15 is passed overhollow tube 505 until distal end 17 of sleeve 15 extends beyond distalend 515 of hollow tube 505. Flexible mandrels 545 are then passedthrough support tubes 50 until flexible mandrels 545 extend from distalend 17 of sleeve 15 to proximal end 16 of sleeve 15 (with or withoutusing flexible mandrel handling fixture 564 to pull flexible mandrels545 through support tubes 50).

The operator then feeds the distal ends of flexible mandrels 545, anddistal end 17 of sleeve 15, into cavity 542 of sleeve plug 540A untilsleeve 15 contacts the distalmost end of cavity 542 of sleeve plug 540A.If desired, flexible mandrels 545 may be passed through hole 531 (FIG.50) in distal end 530 of clamping rod 520 in the same manner as withsleeve plug 540 discussed above.

Looking now at FIG. 91, once flexible mandrels 545 have been passedthrough hole 531 in distal end 530 of clamping rod 520, and distal end17 of sleeve 15 has been disposed within cavity 542 of sleeve plug 540A,the operator pulls (i) flexible mandrels 545 proximally to tensionflexible mandrels 545, and (ii) lever 575 of first clamp 535 proximallyto move sleeve plug 540A proximally. Flexible mandrels 545 and lever 575of first clamp 535 are pulled proximally until sleeve plug 540 anddistal end 17 of sleeve 15 are pulled into distal end 515 of hollow tube505, whereby to clamp distal end 17 of sleeve 15 to distal end 515 ofhollow tube 505.

Looking next at FIGS. 92 and 93, after distal end 17 of sleeve 15 hasbeen clamped to distal end 515 of hollow tube 505, the operator standsadjacent to the clamped distal end 17 of sleeve 15, holds onto supporttubes 50 and proximally pulls support tubes 50 and sleeve 15 so as tomove sleeve 15 distally, i.e., in the direction of arrow 544. Theoperator continues to pull support tube 50 and sleeve 15 until sleeve 15has been entirely pulled over, and off of, hollow tube 505, therebyinverting sleeve 15 (FIG. 94).

Looking now at FIG. 95, lever 575 of first clamp 535 is then pusheddistally to move sleeve plug 540A distally, whereby to release distalend 17 of sleeve 15 from distal end 515 of hollow tube 505.

If desired, distal end 17 of sleeve 15 can be trimmed to remove the partof sleeve 15 that was disposed within cavity 542 of sleeve plug 540A andthe part of sleeve 15 that was clamped between the sidewall of sleeveplug 540A and the inner surface of the side wall of hollow tube 505.

The interior of sleeve 15 can then be coated with a hydrophilic coatingand cured with UV light.

While inversion fixture 500, inversion fixture 500A and reversionfixture 700 are discussed in connection with inverting and revertingsleeve 15, it is important to note that inversion fixture 500 andreversion fixture 700 may also be used to invert and revert anymulti-lumen sleeve that needs to be inverted and reverted.

Furthermore, while the foregoing description discusses applying ahydrophilic coating to the interior surface of sleeve 15, it isimportant to note that inversion fixture 500 can be used to invertsleeve 15 in order to apply other types of lubricious coatings (e.g., aliquid such as perfluoropolyether synthetic oil, a powder, etc.) on someor all of its interior surface, so as to facilitate disposition of thesleeve over the endoscope.

Modifications

While the present invention has been described in terms of certainexemplary preferred embodiments, it will be readily understood andappreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, andthat many additions, deletions and modifications may be made to thepreferred embodiments discussed above while remaining within the scopeof the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for inverting an elongated flexibletubular sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumenextending between the proximal end and the distal end, the apparatuscomprising: a hollow tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end and acentral lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; andan elongated rod movably disposed within the central lumen of the hollowtube, the elongated rod having a proximal end and a distal end, whereinthe distal end of the elongated rod comprises a sleeve plug for securinga distal end of an elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal endof the hollow tube; wherein, when the elongated flexible tubular sleeveis disposed over the hollow tube, (i) the sleeve plug of the elongatedrod is configured to be moved proximally to clamp the distal end of theelongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal end of the hollow tube,and (ii) the sleeve plug of the elongated rod is configured to be moveddistally to release the distal end of the elongated flexible tubularsleeve from the distal end of the hollow tube; and further wherein whenthe distal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve is clamped tothe distal end of the hollow tube, the proximal end of the elongatedflexible tubular sleeve can be pulled toward the distal end of thehollow tube to invert the elongated flexible tubular sleeve.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lever for selectively movingthe elongated rod distally or proximally relative to the distal end ofthe hollow tube, wherein the lever is mounted to the proximal end of theelongated rod.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at leastone flexible mandrel configured to be passed through at least onesupport tube formed on an exterior surface of the elongated flexibletubular sleeve.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the distal end ofthe elongated rod comprises an opening for receiving the at least oneflexible mandrel.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a clampdisposed adjacent to the proximal end of the hollow tube, the clampbeing configured to clamp the elongated flexible tubular sleeve adjacentto the proximal end of the hollow tube.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising an intermediate clamp disposed intermediate thedistal end and the proximal end of the hollow tube, the intermediateclamp being configured to clamp the elongated flexible tubular sleeveintermediate the distal end and the proximal end of the hollow tube. 7.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sleeve plug secures the distal endof the elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal end of the hollowtube through an interference fit.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe sleeve plug comprises an expandable plug and a holding collar, theexpandable plug being mounted to the distal end of the elongated rod. 9.The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the expandable plug comprises a firstportion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is configuredto be moved into the first portion to expand the outer diameter of theexpandable plug.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising ahandle, wherein the handle is configured to be mounted over the proximalend of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve for pulling the elongatedflexible tubular sleeve distally.
 11. A method for inverting anelongated, flexible tubular sleeve having a proximal end, a distal endand a central lumen extending between the proximal end and the distalend, the method comprising: providing an apparatus comprising: a hollowtube comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumenextending between the proximal end and the distal end; and an elongatedrod movably disposed within the central lumen of the hollow tube, theelongated rod having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distalend of the elongated rod comprises a sleeve plug for securing a distalend of an elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal end of thehollow tube; disposing the elongated flexible tubular sleeve over thehollow tube; moving the elongated rod proximally, whereby to clamp thedistal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal end ofthe hollow tube; and pulling the proximal end of the elongated flexibletubular sleeve distally toward the distal end of the elongated flexibletubular sleeve, whereby to invert the elongated flexible tubular sleeve.12. The method according to claim 11 further comprising a lever forselectively moving the elongated rod distally or proximally relative tothe distal end of the hollow tube, wherein the lever is mounted to theproximal end of the elongated rod.
 13. The method of claim 11 whereinthe elongated flexible tubular sleeve comprises at least one supporttube formed on the exterior surface of the elongated flexible tubularsleeve, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one flexiblemandrel, and further wherein the method further comprises passing the atleast one flexible mandrel through the at least one support tube priorto inverting the elongated flexible tubular sleeve.
 14. The method ofclaim 13 wherein the distal end of the elongated rod comprises anopening for receiving the at least one flexible mandrel.
 15. The methodof claim 11 further comprising a clamp disposed adjacent to the proximalend of the hollow tube, and clamping the elongated flexible tubularsleeve adjacent to the proximal end of the hollow tube prior to clampingthe distal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distalend of the hollow tube.
 16. The method of claim 11 further comprising anintermediate clamp disposed intermediate the distal end and the proximalend of the hollow tube, and clamping the elongated flexible tubularsleeve intermediate the distal end and the proximal end of the hollowtube prior to clamping the distal end of the elongated flexible tubularsleeve to the distal end of the hollow tube.
 17. The method of claim 11wherein the sleeve plug secures the distal end of the elongated flexibletubular sleeve to the distal end of the hollow tube through aninterference fit.
 18. The method of claim 11 wherein the sleeve plugcomprises an expandable plug and a holding collar, the expandable plugbeing mounted to the distal end of the elongated rod, and furtherwherein the method further comprises: positioning the expansion plugwithin the distal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve;positioning the holding collar over the distal end of the elongatedflexible tubular sleeve and the expandable plug; and expanding theexpandable plug to secure the distal end of the elongated flexibletubular sleeve to the distal end of the hollow tube.
 19. The method ofclaim 18 wherein the expandable plug comprises a first portion and asecond portion, wherein the second portion is configured to be movedinto the first portion to expand the outer diameter of the expandableplug.
 20. A method according to claim 11 wherein, after the elongatedflexible tubular sleeve has been inverted, applying a hydrophiliccoating to the inverted flexible tubular sleeve.
 21. A method accordingto claim 20 further comprising curing the hydrophilic coating with UVlight.
 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising everting theinverted elongated flexible tubular sleeve.
 23. The method of claim 22wherein the apparatus further comprises a handle, and further whereinthe method further comprises mounting the handle over the proximal endof the inverted elongated flexible tubular sleeve and pulling theelongated flexible tubular sleeve distally to evert the invertedelongated flexible tubular sleeve.
 24. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising moving the elongated rod distally to release the distal endof the elongated flexible tubular sleeve from the hollow tube. 25.Apparatus comprising: a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior ofan endoscope, wherein the sleeve comprises a sleeve proximal end, asleeve distal end and a sleeve lumen extending therebetween, and furtherwherein the sleeve is configured to be slid over the exterior surface ofthe endoscope so as that the interior surface of the sleeve lumensubstantially covers the exterior surface of the endoscope from a pointadjacent to the distal end of the endoscope to a point adjacent to thehandle of the endoscope, wherein the interior surface of the sleevelumen comprises a hydrophilic coating; and at least one support channelcarried by the sleeve, wherein the at least one support channelcomprises a channel proximal end, a channel distal end and a channellumen extending therebetween.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein thehydrophilic coating is applied to the interior surface of the sleevelumen by: inverting the sleeve; applying the hydrophilic coating to theinverted interior surface of the sleeve lumen; allowing the hydrophiliccoating to cure; and reverting the sleeve.
 27. The apparatus of claim 25wherein the sleeve is flexible.
 28. The apparatus of claim 25 whereinthe at least one support channel is disposed external to the sleevelumen.
 29. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the channel proximal end isdisposed adjacent to the sleeve proximal end, and wherein the channeldistal end is disposed adjacent to the sleeve distal end.
 30. Theapparatus of claim 25 wherein the at least one support channel isconfigured to receive an instrument.
 31. The apparatus of claim 25further comprising at least one push tube slidably mounted to thesleeve.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the at least one push tubeis slidably mounted within the at least one support channel.
 33. Theapparatus of claim 25 further comprising at least one push tube fixedlymounted to the sleeve.
 34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the atleast one push tube is fixedly mounted within the at least one supportchannel.
 35. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising: a balloonsecured to the sleeve; and an inflation/deflation tube carried by thesleeve and in fluid communication with an interior of the balloon. 36.The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the channel distal end is disposeddistal to the balloon.
 37. A method for applying a hydrophilic coatingto a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope,wherein the sleeve comprises: a sleeve proximal end, a sleeve distal endand a sleeve lumen extending therebetween, and further wherein thesleeve is configured to be slid over the exterior of the endoscope so asthat the interior surface of the sleeve lumen substantially covers theexterior of the endoscope from a point adjacent to the distal end of theendoscope to a point adjacent to the handle of the endoscope; and atleast one support channel carried by the sleeve, wherein the at leastone support channel comprises a channel proximal end, a channel distalend and a channel lumen extending therebetween; wherein the methodcomprises: inverting the sleeve; applying the hydrophilic coating to theinverted interior surface of the sleeve lumen; allowing the hydrophiliccoating to cure; and reverting the sleeve.